Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen...

Morning everyone. I’m sorry you’re still so unwell maw, I suspect you have had ‘proper’ flu.

I’m lucky I think, irritating sore throat which has been around for a while - I get lots of those - and generally bunged up rather than a drippy nose today but no temperature or any of the other horrid symptoms. I’m also lucky that I can stay in bed and have someone bring me drinks, haven’t stirred yet today but will soon before I’m welded to this bed.

I’m wondering if you’ve an infection maw, might be worth considering. In any case wishing you better very soon.

It’s grey and horrid outside, please be kind Kitcheners and don’t tell me if you have bright sunshine.

Sounds as if you had the best deal first thing jane, hope you have fun with the children.

So, big decision time here. Do I head for the shower or read my book, . I’ll let you know .

Thank goodness, ann, that H is finally in a ward. I suspect that as it's a ward for 'older people' the doctors there may be taking a more holistic approach and covering all bases. It's great that he is (almost) on his feet again.

So pleased at heartening news ann. You do sound brighter. .

Now Ann please repeat after me- I am not taking H home yet no matter how often he asks.

It definitely sounds as though he is improving slowly and you are sounding calmer.

It is rather better than seeing Geriatric Ward! With luck there will not be quite so much activity and do not forget that H will have a named nurse.

Corner immerse yourself in your book- how often do you get to lie and luxuriate in bed at mid day? It will also mean that you can forget about the beautiful sunshine in London although it is cold.

Your DH can also "do his own thing" knowing that you are comfortable. A win/win situation I think and you can give instructions for the evening meal provided it is not more complicated that shoving a chicken in the oven.

Why did you move to a part of the country where it always appears to be raining? I must find out where it is and stay well clear.

That's good to hear, ann and I would repeat what Charleygirl said. Your DH is in the best place and is being cared for and improving.

Ann glad to hear your husband is on a ward, and its a cheerful one. That makes all the difference, I think.

charley we're promised sunshine on Thursday - something to look forward to. There will be written instructions for a meal later, saves me croaking.

I do agree ann be careful about discharge plans. We had to fight to keep our poorly friend in hospital after her accident, she lives alone, is not young and had no aids in place. Its understandable with pressure on beds but necessary to look at the potential effects of too early discharge to save a readmission. Hope your husband keeps improving.

Now its back to the book.

Great news Ann and I'm so glad you didn't really go AWOL! And, glad that your DH is in a better place. They seem to be looking after him well. I bet you feel happier.

Maw, if you have what was going around before Christmas (where were you!) it does keep coming back to bite you on the bum. Mine lasted about 10 weeks - so don't make plans!!

Love the gappy photo morethan, DH made the mistake of telling Bertie that one of his teeth was a bit loose so we now have to regularly check how much more wobblier it is (it's not!!)

Hope your loins are well girded GQ. It's flipping hard work but we have now nearly recovered to 4 for 2 days last week.

Keep warm corner and enjoy being waited on. Just stagger down when dinner is served!

Just back from standing freezing next to a football pitch. I though that I'd done that for the last time 30 years ago!! And, on the way home we called into the nearby big Waitrose and bought truffles. So, panic over.

I'll be back later to report on how stuffing stuffing chicken legs with truffles is - or isn't!

Thank you for the warning kittylester ??
I do have plans though , including a week in Stratford in early March with DD and little Flynn during the first week of her “Duchess of Malfi “ at the RSC and there is some granny duty involved so I had better be fine! I also have a landmark birthday and am booking up assorted lunches and afternoon teas with friends, so recovery is imperative.
The whole period between Paws death in early November and the start of this year is all a bit of a blur, but I suspect the adrenaline kept me going and it is now after everything has calmed down that I have been more vulnerable. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish between flu misery/ lethargy/weakness/tearfulness and the same symptoms arising from bereavement. Just the cough I suppose to make it different.
It is such a lovely sunny, “nearly Spring” day here (but cold) I can’t wait to be able to enjoy it.

ann I've taken a short break from the Curling (GB v Italy) because I wanted an update from you. Thank you for sharing your news with us lot. We do care. I'm feeling everso slightly better on your behalf.

Maw sorry to hear that you're still feeling poorly.

morethan That wee lad looks a right "smasher". He is obviously very proud to be losing his baby teeth. What's the going rate for a tooth these days? Surprise me! It was sixpence when I was a child.

JaneD3 Bampa has a captive audience. Dinosaurs are the tops! Enjoy cuddles with the little one. I'm being patient. Two more months and a bit before I get to cuddle the great grandchildren. One is due any time soon.

Team GB have won the curling match between themselves and Italy. Yay! Now I must away to be arty farty. I shall show you the result a little later.

Bunnies!

Cute bunnies. Your very talented [soop] I’ve got no talent at all. Can’t knit, sew, draw, paint,diy, nothing. It’s £2 for front tooth, £1 for the others.

Thank you, morethan. £2! How times have changed. Although I imagine my Nana's income for a week's cleaning back when she gave me sixpence, was not very generous. Her contribution was. She was a very kind and dear lady.

Annsixty, such good news, do take this time to rest between hospital visits.

Maw so sorry you are still ill.

Bella, the quake was felt in this town but not by me

It's been a pleasant day. I've enjoyed myself and trust that you lot have had something to be grateful for. I'm about to log off until tomorrow. No news from our friend so that's a good sign. The nurse will have changed her dressing twice today. Hopefully the medication is getting on top of the infection.

Wishing you all a peaceful evening. Especially ann and those of you who are feeling under the weather.

ann good news about your DH. Sounds an improvement if he is able to walk again. Hope he continues to improve.

maw sorry you have the lurgy again please don't give it to me I am going on holiday soon ?. Hope you soon improve but it must be a dreadful bug ? if as kitty says it bites you on the bum (I have quite a large bum so am sitting on it quite a lot to keep the bugs away)
corner hope you are on the mend soon too.
soop yet another lovely painting. I love bunnies ? so soft and cute.
morethan what a smashing little boy. No wonder you love being with him ?
Hello everyone else? Hope you are all ok. Galen perhaps you should drink all your booze bottles incase there is another quake. I could always pop round and help you dispose of the contents

Lovely bunnies Soop! Saw lots sitting by the A14 last night. Lovely weekend with the littlies although DGD was poorly - now Nanny has it so move over Maw and make room by the fire. Cough, head, mucus etc. Oh joy!

Just a pop in before we start the drive home after our photo shoot yesterday , I think we might have some nice pictures .

So glad the news is positive Ann , hoping for more improvement today.

To all the poorly people, feel better soon!!!

Back to real life tomorrow - see you all then!

It was good to hear more positive news from Ann - keep your chin up girl!
My mum who hasn’t been awake for a couple of months really, was laughing and told SiL last week that she had three sisters and she had a stroke 2 years ago. Make that four brothers and 65 years! She had also just been to Mothers Union. Oh well!

I was back to real life yesterday.
I was there for 2 hours and had to come home, it was dreadful.
No staff about H lying wet through, he never stopped demanding me to move him, from sitting to living, from one side to the other.
I cannot move him on my own or even with the help of one other.
Th only man in the bay capable of a conversation told me he had been like that all day and not to expect too much from the staff!!
When I told one of the HCA' s he needed changing she ignored me so I told her again and she said I heard you and carried on with what she was doing.
I will ask to speak to the Sister today.
I couldn't trust myself to not break down.

Jane, your tale about your Mum made me smile. I used to post fairly regular thread entitles 'I went to visit my mum today.....'. Occasionally I posted because Mum and I had quite a fraught relationship and I was glad of GN support but often they were the funny things she told me when I visited.

Once, while she was sitting in the lounge watching TV she told me off for coming to work to see her as she'd get the sack. Another time she told me her feet were hurting as she's not got back from a night out until 2am.

It will be a year on Wednesday since she died and tomorrow we are going to the funeral of my lovely Sister in Law's mum. She and my mum became frenemies and always made us smile at how they sparred with each other.

Anyway, off to make an almond and lime cake to have with with a friend who is calling in this afternoon. I'll call back with the remains - there will be remains as she has will power and is consequently slim and I doubt even I could polish the lot off in one sitting.

Oh Ann how horrible, for you and your husband!
Please do speak to the sister, and PALS if necessary.
Its so frustrating and upsetting, I know, from when my mum was in hospital. It seems that the wards varied so much regarding basic care.
Its an awful lot for you to shoulder.
Try and look after yourself too.

X post Ann. How awful for your DH and for you. It sounds dreadful. Complain today and try to keep a 'diary' of complaints in case you want to use it. Don't worry about breaking down in front of people - it might make them take notice. I so wish there was something we could actually do to help.

Annsixty my heart goes out to you. I know that is often such a cliché but I mean it most sincerely. That is inexcusable behaviour and needs a formal letter of complaint. Do enlist PALS help if you can.
Even if it was an isolated incident , once is once too often and your trust and confidence, once shattered will not be replaced.
I did have grave misgivings at times about things which happened to Paw but fortunately I was somehow able to get through to the right people and use the right words which made them take action. Years of hospitals, clinic appointments, detailed knowledge of Paws medical issues plus a 6” thick file helped me to bluff my way through the red tape and give the impression that I knew what I was talking about.
Does the hospital have “Matrons” who are in overall charge of care and staffing? You MUST make this a formal complaint and go to the top.
I hope you can enlist some support from the family and bring out some big guns. Anybody you may know personally with links to the Trustees, management, ANYBODY.
It made me very angry to realise that many many patients NEED an advocate to agitate on their behalf, and sadly so many have nobody. Good luck